cell specialization and cell differentiation

• What are specialized cells?


  Cells that have specific roles in the body
• Name two examples of specialized cells in animals.

  Sperm cells and muscle cells
• Name two examples of specialized cells in plants.


  Root hair cells and xylem cells
• What is the role of a sperm cell?


  To deliver genetic material to an egg cell for fertilization
• Why does a sperm cell have half as much genetic material as a normal adult cell?


  To combine with the egg's genetic material to form a normal cell's worth
• What adaptation helps a sperm cell swim to the egg?


  The flagellum, which acts like a tail
• How does the streamlined shape of a sperm cell assist its function?


  It helps the sperm cell swim more efficiently
• What is the role of mitochondria in sperm cells?


  To provide energy for swimming
• What do sperm cells have at the front to assist in fertilization?


  Digestive enzymes to break into the egg cell
• What are the general characteristics of specialized cells?

  • Specific roles in the body
  • Unique shapes and structures
  • Different amounts of organelles
• What is differentiation?


  The process by which cells become specialized
• What is the starting point of human life?

  A single cell called a zygote
• What happens to the zygote after fertilization?


  It divides by mitosis into two cells, then four cells, and so on
• What is the significance of differentiation in cell development?


  It allows cells to take on specific roles like muscle or nerve cells
• What are stem cells?


  Cells that can divide by mitosis and differentiate into specialized cells
• What is the process of differentiation in cells?


  1. Starts as a zygote (fertilized egg)
  2. Divides by mitosis into identical cells
  3. Undergoes differentiation to become specialized
  4. Changes in shape, structure, and organelle composition
• What is cell differentiation?


  Cell differentiation is the process by which a less specialized cell becomes a more specialized cell type.
• What are the key points of cell differentiation?


  • Cells change in structure and function
  • Results in specialized cell types
  • Essential for tissue and organ development
  • Occurs throughout an organism's life
• Why is cell differentiation important in developmental biology?


  It is crucial for the formation of complex multicellular organisms.
• Give an example of cell differentiation.


  A stem cell in bone marrow can differentiate into various types of blood cells.
• What role do stem cells play in cell differentiation?


  Stem cells are unspecialized cells that can differentiate into various cell types.
• What are the types of stem cells and their characteristics?

  • **Totipotent**: Can form all cell types (e.g., zygote)
  • **Pluripotent**: Can form most cell types (e.g., embryonic stem cells)
  • **Multipotent**: Can form multiple cell types within a specific lineage (e.g., hematopoietic stem cells)
• What are the two key properties of stem cells?


  Self-renewal and potency.